First OCTIA Vlog

First ticket sold

Today is a big day for OCTIA as the first ticket to the conference was sold, and it was bought by an online delegate!

Feels like Online Counselling is coming of age in a whole new way. As a group of people who specialize in forming meaningful relationships through the Internet, it seems really fitting that we are enthusiatic about connecting to each other as proffessionals regardless of the distance between us.

I am thinking that the distance may be measured in miles, perhaps we are not able to afford to travel or have other circumstances that prohibit our physical presence. But our ability and willingness to overcome these obstacles at OCTIA reflects what we are able to offer individuals who seek a therapeutic relationship with us!

This is just so exciting!

Please join us and share the excitement at www.octia.org.uk



-- Post From My iPhone

OCTIA

Well what a busy few days it has been for the OCTIA team!

We have booked a venue, built a website and started to talk to speakers for the first conference to be held in the UK for online counsellors.

So I am not surprised that I woke up this morning at 4.30am thinking about OCTIA!

I am really excited to be part of this project as I am sure we are pushing the boundaries of the technology as we look for solutions to stream live video and audio in and out of the conference and connect with Second Life.

Not that this technology hasn't been used before but more that is is becoming accessible to the ordinary person who isn't a technical expert.

I think that is part of what is making online counselling more accessible to everyone as computer technology gets more friendly and less terrifying .... some of the time :)

Check us out here www.octia.org.uk I am sure you wont regret it!

Outliers finished

Finished Reading outliers and loved it! Fascinated by a school in the Bronx that challenges the idea that children need plenty of rest and play time and adopt the rice growing culture of intensive hard work making a difference to individuals.

I am really warmed by the conclusion that what we need most if all is a chance! And given that chance we can all be "Outliers"

Experiencing this potential in another human being is one of the special privilidges I experience as a counsellor and wondering if what I offer could be one of those "chances"


-- Post From My iPhone

Who is good at maths?

Malcolm Gladwell in his book Outliers cites a theory that you could preside someones maths ability from the length of time that they spend wrestling with a problem.

I am excited to think that perhaps I struggle with maths not because I am not capable but because I am not spending enough time.

Is this what happens in the therapy room? Ring fencing time to think usefully about problems and allowing ourselves to find a way forward that's right for us?


-- Post From My iPhone

Outliers

I have been listening to Malcolm Gladwells book "Outliers" as an audio book from audible.com today and really enjoying it.

He describes success not being the product of an outstanding individual rising effortlessly to the top of their field but as a "good enough" individul accruing advantages through such things as heritage, early family life, coaching, practice and opportunity.

I am wondering whether counselling could become one of those advantages, or even make up for the lack of some of those advantages?



-- Post From My iPhone

Well ... its the new year and I am starting it by chilling out ... I think :)

Spending some time gardening in Second Life and you can see some of the results in the pic here.

Just realising how much my creative juices can be stifled as I worry about putting tree's in the "right" places, managed to loosen that a little and put some out randomly, how risky hehe

Feels good to start the year in the garden!

Have a good one!